Transition from Cryptocurrency Market to Stocks in South Korea

Cryptocurrency Trading Declining in South Korea

Cryptocurrency trading on exchanges Upbit and Bithumb in South Korea has decreased by 80% year-on-year. The participation of local investors and volatility in cryptocurrency markets have greatly diminished.

Stocks on the Rise

As of 2025, the KOSPI index has shown an increase of over 70%. This rise has been driven by AI chip giants like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The significant profits of these companies have attracted the interest of millions of new retail investors.

Speculation Shifted to Stocks

Korean investors did not give up on speculation; they simply changed direction. Stocks, along with margin loans and leveraged Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), have become the country’s new “drug casino.”